Davao de Oro under state of calamity

RALPH LAWRENCE G. LLEMIT, SunStar Davao

THE entire province of Davao de Oro was declared under state of calamity on Friday, April 8, 2022, due to the recent heavy rains resulting in many families that were evacuated.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan, headed by Vice Governor Maricar Zamora, signed Resolution 1813-2022, declaring the entire province under state of calamity.

This is upon the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council headed by Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy.

According to the resolution, the state of calamity in the province was due to the low pressure area (LPA), a weather disturbance that caused continuous heavy to torrential rains on April 5 and 6.

The LPA had affected several municipalities in the province, resulting in the suspension of classes and work, and the pre-emptive and forced evacuation activities among residents.

Based on the initial rapid damage assessment and needs analysis conducted by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), several houses, infrastructures, livelihoods, crops and other agricultural products were damaged, along with the powerlines.

"In order to facilitate expedient delivery of services to the affected individuals and/or communities in our Province, a declaration of State of Calamity is deemed necessary," the resolution states.

In a situation report provided by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, as of April 5, a total of 896 families were affected from reports received in Monkayo, Compostela, New Bataan, Mawab, while 353 internally displaced families were reported in Monkayo and Mawab. Meanwhile, two persons were reportedly missing.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Heavy Rainfall Warning No. 3 issued at 8:10 p.m. on Tuesday evening, Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental were placed under Red Warning Level due to the continuous rising of water levels which possible severe flooding in low lying areas and landslides in mountainous areas.